CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) plans to boost deportations next week, according to President Donald Trump.
However, Sheriff Garry McFadden, who leads Mecklenburg County deputies, said he will hold firm in not assisting the federal agency.
"I hear trauma, terror, fear," said Mecklenburg County Commissioner Susan Rodriguez-McDowell, who represents District 6.
On Thursday, she was at a meeting with Latinos in her district, taking questions on a variety of issues, including immigration.
"Those are not things I want anyone to feel," she said. "I'm really concerned about it."
She and McFadden have made their stance clear in supporting immigrants in their county.
"I'm still going to stand firm in my belief of bringing cities together, bringing unity together and representing and protecting anyone who resides in my county," said McFadden at a press conference on Wednesday.
He and Rodriguez-McDowell are against House Bill 370, known as the "Show Me Your Papers" bill. It would require police to check everyone they arrest against the federal immigration database. If requested, local agencies would also have to hold an immigrant if asked to do so by ICE.
"I strongly oppose HB370 today and I will oppose it tomorrow and I will oppose it the day after tomorrow," said McFadden.
But President Trump said vows to stop the flow of illegal immigration across the southern border.
"We believe our country should be a sanctuary for law-abiding citizens, not for criminal aliens," Mr. Trump said.
Although some support McFadden's stance, there are others who believe his decision not to help the feds will make the county less safe.
